Pachydermoperiostosis: a case report of initial improvement with etoricoxib

Pachydermoperiostosis (PDP) is a syndrome characterised by the triad of pachydermia, digital clubbing and periostosis of long bones and its scarce incidence and similarity in clinical features with acromegaly makes the diagnosis challenging. The elevated PGE2 levels have been hypothesised as one of its mechanisms and therapies have been targeted to inhibit this prostaglandin.

A 25-year-old man with no comorbidities presented to OPD with a 10-year history of bilateral pain and swelling of the hands and feets associated with hyperhidrosis, grade IV clubbing and marked skin thickening on his forehead. X-rays revealed hyperostosis of the metacarpals, proximal and middle phalanges and periosteal bone formation with cortical thickening of the ankle joint. Tests done to rule out differentials such as thyroid acropachy, acromegaly, psoriatic arthritis were normal and a clinical diagnosis of PDP, a rare genetic disease characterised by pachyderma, digital clubbing and periostosis was made.

The patient was managed conservatively with etoricoxib for 6 months on a follow-up basis. The symptoms were improving and a repeat X-ray showed partial improvement of soft tissue thickening and periostosis.

PDP is a rare diagnosis with no clear consensus on a management approach. Its management with selective COX-2 inhibitors such as etoricoxib should be considered but its long-term effects should be studied further.